Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 2, 1 February 1999 — Community debates Hā Hawaiʻi [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Community debates Hā Hawaiʻi

By Paula Durbln ĪHE CENTER for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa was on Jan. 23 the scene of a heated debate on Hā Hawai'i's first step toward a definition of

Hawanan sovereignty. Trustee Mililani Trask eonvened OHA's Committee on Governmental Affairs and Sovereignty at the Center to give Hawaiians a forum for expressing their views on Hā Hawai'i's Jan. 17 election of delegates to a Native Hawaiian constitutional convention scheduled for this summer. The meeting was also attended by Trustees Frenchy DeSoto, Hannah Springer, Colette Machado, Haunani Apoliona and several hundred OHA beneflciaries. Nearly 90 Hawaiians signed up to testify, many of them affiliated with either Hā or Ka Lāhui Hawai'i, a group well-known for its opposition to Hā. Clifford Chi of De Jure

Hawai'i, the first person to testify, called the Hā election "an exercise in futility" that was "too quick." He was followed by Momi Cazimero, a candidate for one of the Hā slots, who described the Hā process as "inclusive and respectful of all positions." More than 70 speakers followed, almost all committed to one side or the other. Most of those defending Hā echoed Cazimero's views and described the convention as a

golden opportunity. Ikaika Hussey, a university student and former Hā board member who ran as a Hā delegate, lauded the enterprise for the new faces it brought into the sovereignty discussion. Several Hā supporters confirmed they had eome home

from the mainland to participate. Tony Sang, representing the State Council of Hawaiian Homesteaders Associations, and Leimomi Khan, president of the O'ahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civics, endorsed Hā's process on behalf of their organizations. Critics cited Hā's links to the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council (HSEC) appointed by Gov. John Waihe'e; the low

turnout for HSEC's Native Vote in 1996; the hasty organization of the Jan. 17 eleetion; insufficient attempts to educate the community; polling inconsistencies; and apparent disregard for long-term consequences. Many referred to legislation that would prevent a convention

from changing the status quo. Several also objected to Hā Hawai'i's receipt of the list of voters registered to vote in the election of Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees. In his testimony, Attorney Ko'omealani Amona demanded OHA launeh an investigation as to how Hā had eome by the list with his name on it. Passions, and sometimes tempers, flared during the sixhour meeting. Charlie Rose, former Hā president who also ran as a candidate, lamented 1 what he called "character assassination" by some of those testifying. Only one speaker, Frank Velligas, did not take sides. "I think I will sit and listen." he said when

called to testify, and the audience applauded the unexpected neutrality. Hā Hawai'i's application to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for a grant of $1.9 million was not on the Jan. 23 agenda, but many testified on the request anyway. In response to some speakers who claimed Hā's application would not get a fair hearing, Trustee Trask replied that it would be See HĀ HAWAI'I on page 3

FRONTPAOENEWS

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Land, Water and Hawaiian Affairs, was among the hundreds in attendance at the Jan. 23 meeting of OHA's Committee on Governmental Affairs and Sovereignty.

PHOIO: PAULA DURBIN

Iarger than the number of other groups who sought to establish their form of governanee." Of the more than 1 50 Hawaiians vying for the 85 seats, 20 ran unapposed and eight seats remain vacant due to laek of candidates in those districts. A priority of the delegates is to meet to discuss how open seats will be filled. The group will continue to seek funding for their convention, whieh they estimate will cost morethan $1.5 million. The convention is scheduled for this summer. Following is the roster ot' elected delegates. Moku Hawai'i Moku delegates Bowman, Lani L. Victor, Walter, Jr. Keana'āina-McDonald, Ruby Kawaihae-Rogriguez, Becky Hilo District Delegates Ha'o, Joseph Kamae Wendekier, Bernie Akoni (one unfilled, no candidate) Puna District (unfilled, no candidate) Ka'ū District (unfilled, no candidate) Kona District Chun, Kaliko Kohala District Clark, Kimmy (Kalaeone-Paoa) Hāmākua District Kamakawiwo'ole, Reynolds N.

Moku Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i Moku Delegate Kaho'ohalahala, Sol P. Maxwell, Charles Kauluwehi Hāna District Lind, Daisy M. Wailuku District Kamai, Clarence K., Sr. Filimoe'atu, Kēhaulani Makawao District Kanahuna, Joseph K. Lahaina DistricX Lindsey, Mary Helen Moloka'i, Kalawao District Kahalehoe, Jeanette L. Lāna'i District Kaho'ohalahala, Gaylien K., Sr. Moku Kaua'i Hanalei District Ham Young, Cathy Kalehua Anahola District Smith, Henry E., Jr. Kawaihau District Albao, Liberta Lilia Hussey Līhu'e District Fyfe, Kai'ōpua Koloa District Kealoha, Christobel Kauahi Waimea/Ni'ihau District Naumu-Stewart, Judy Moku Honolulu Moku Delegates Cazimero, M. Momi W. Agard, Louis K. (Buzzy) Rose, Charles (Kale Loke) Keppeler, H.K. Bruss East Honolulu Thompson, Myron (Pinky) Benham, Roy 'llikea Nāho'opi'i, Daniel Central Honolulu

Hana'ike, David Donn Maika'i Ha'o-Ross, Peggy K. Ka'ai, Elmer Ka'ilikole, Jr. Wesf Honolulu Kamau'u, Māhealani Carpenter, Dante Keala Moepono, Sesnita A.D. Bongo, L. Lehua Moku 'Ewa Moku Delegates Ching, Keli'i Clark, Kauila Oamilda, Glenn J. Hubbard, Lela Malina Makalapa, Halawa, 'Aiea District (no delegates filed) Pearl City District (no delegates filed) Waipahu District (no delegates filed) 'Ewa District Akaka, Kanani Leigh Moku Wai'anae Moku Delegates Kila, Glen Makakauali'i Drake, Hoaliku L. Laenui, Pōkā (Hayden Burgess) De Lude, Clarence Ha'o Kupahu Nānākuli, Lualualei Distrct Kanahele, Kamaki A. Lenehanko, Tony Mā'ili, Wai'anae District Hew Len, Herbert (one vacant seat) Mākaha to Ka'ena District Hikalea, Miehael H., Jr. Moku Wahiawā, Waialua, Ko'olauloa Moku Delegates Beirne, D. Ululani Woolsey, James K., Jr. Wasson, Dawn Kahalaomāpuana Chun, lan Nui Wahiawā/Milalani District

Mokuau, Allan L. K. Kiyohiro, Larry Joy > Waialua District Awai, James L. Jr. Ko'olauloa District Nihipali, Kunani Moku Ko'olaupoko Moku Delegates Kalāhiki, Melvin Hussey, Ikaika M.L. Kanaheie, Dennis (Bumpy) Aweau, Norman E.P. Kualoa to Kahalu'u District Hoe, Kelikokauaikekai Kāne'ohe Distirct Wong, Jimmy K. Nalua'i, Solomon D.K. Kailua Distirct Agard, Keoni Kealoha Martin, Liz Ho'oipo Nakea Pā Waimānalo District Kalima, Leona Māpuana Hikalea, Miehael Hale Moku Kama'āina (beyond Hawai'i) Moku Delegates Crawford, Dolly Keahiolalo West, David R. Smith, Reidar Ku'uipo Akima, Chalmers L. US District Pang, Victor Kaiwi Wong, Dana J. Kēhaulani Shellabarger, Māhealani B. Total ballots tabulated: 8767 Total ballots invalidated: 100 Total ballots cast: 8867 Eligible to vote: 101,951 Datasource: "Summary Report, Native Hawaiian Convention," 1/26/99 ■

ELECTIONS From page 1